The following article regarding regional bunker fuel availability outlook for the East of Suez region has been provided by online marine fuels procurement platform ENGINE for publication on Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times:

• HSFO availability tight in Zhoushan
• VLSFO and LSMGO availability good across several Chinese ports
• Several East Asian ports could face weather disruptions

Singapore and Southeast Asia

Lead times for VLSFO in Singapore have fluctuated lately, with most suppliers now indicating up to 17 days. However, some can accommodate stems within seven days. This reflects tightness compared to the previous week, when traders suggested lead times ranging between 2-11 days.

HSFO supply in the port remains limited, with recommended lead times of 11-14 days, virtually unchanged from last week. For LSMGO, lead times vary between 3-7 days.

Singapore’s residual fuel oil stocks have averaged 5% higher so far this month compared to May, according to Enterprise Singapore’s latest data. Despite a significant 43% decline in the port's net fuel imports this month, fuel oil stocks have risen above 19 million bbls. Fuel oil imports have fallen by 1.66 million bbls this month, while fuel oil exports have increased by a modest 30,000 bbls. In contrast, Singapore’s middle distillate stocks have averaged 7% lower this month.

In Malaysia’s Port Klang, both VLSFO and LSMGO grades are in ample supply, with some suppliers able to provide prompt deliveries for smaller parcel sizes. HSFO availability remains constrained due to limited product availability.

In the Indonesian ports of Jakarta and Surabaya, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good. Additionally, the port of Balikpapan has ample VLSFO supply, with recommended lead times of around four days.

East Asia

VLSFO and LSMGO supply in Zhoushan remains strong, with most suppliers maintaining lead times of 3-5 days, unchanged from last week. HSFO availability has tightened in Zhoushan, with most suppliers running low on HSFO stocks. The high-sulphur grade's lead times may differ across suppliers and are subject to firm enquiry, compared to lead times of 7-10 days last week. Some suppliers expect replenishment stocks to arrive early next month.

In Northern China, both VLSFO and LSMGO grades are available at Dalian port. Similarly, these grades are readily available in Qingdao and Tianjin, although HSFO supply is limited in these ports. In Shanghai, VLSFO and LSMGO availability remains good, while HSFO supply is scarce. In Fuzhou and Xiamen, VLSFO and LSMGO grades are readily available. Conversely, in Guangzhou and Yangpu, prompt availability of both low sulphur fuel grades is restricted.

In the Taiwanese ports of Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Keelung, both VLSFO and LSMGO grades remain readily available, with short lead times of 2-4 days, consistent with last week.

All grades remain in ample supply in Hong Kong, with recommended lead times of around seven days.

All bunker fuel grades are available in South Korean ports, with most suppliers recommending lead times of 3-9 days. Strong winds and high waves could potentially affect bunker operations at the South Korean ports of Ulsan, Onsan, Busan, Daesan, Taean, and Yeosu on Friday and Saturday.

In Japan, varying lead times are advised across key ports. Suppliers in Tokyo, Chiba, Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, and Yokkaichi recommend approximately 8-10 days of lead times, with longer lead times of 12-20 days in Mizushima and Oita.

The ports of Ho Chi Minh and Leam Chabang in Vietnam are bracing for inclement weather, which is expected to create difficult bunkering conditions intermittently during this week. Similarly, the Thai ports of Koh Sichang and Leam Chabang expect adverse weather from 21-24 June, potentially impacting bunker operations in these regions.

Oceania

In Western Australia, VLSFO and LSMGO are available in the ports of Kwinana, Fremantle, and Kembla, with typical lead times of 7-8 days. In New South Wales, Sydney has readily available LSMGO, while HSFO is mostly available upon inquiry. In Victoria, both Melbourne and Geelong offer good availability of VLSFO and LSMGO, though prompt HSFO supply can be limited. In Queensland, Brisbane and Gladstone maintain sufficient stocks of VLSFO and LSMGO, with lead times of 7-8 days, but HSFO availability is constrained in Brisbane.

In New Zealand, Tauranga and Auckland have ample VLSFO supply, and LSMGO supply is decent in Auckland. However, adverse weather conditions throughout this week may impact bunker operations.

South Asia

In several Indian ports, including Kandla, Tuticorin, Chennai, Cochin, Visakhapatnam, and Haldia, VLSFO and LSMGO availability has been restricted due to supply shortages.

Adverse weather conditions are intermittently predicted throughout the week in the ports of Sikka, Kandla, Cochin, and Visakhapatnam, potentially disrupting bunker operations in these locations.

Additionally, bad weather is forecast in the Sri Lankan port of Colombo over the weekend, which may impact bunker deliveries.

Middle East

In the UAE ports of Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, prompt availability of all grades is limited, with most suppliers requiring lead times of 5-7 days.

In Saudi Arabia's Jeddah port, VLSFO and LSMGO supply is ample. VLSFO supply is tight in nearby Djibouti, while LSMGO is more readily available there.

In Iraq's Basrah, both VLSFO and LSMGO are readily available, but both grades are tight in Ras Laffan, Qatar.

LSMGO is readily available in the Omani ports of Sohar, Salalah, Muscat, and Duqm.

By Tuhin Roy

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 19 June 2024